This project has relied on the excellent assistance of the Regional Development Agency in Yorkshire and Humber, Yorkshire Forward, which has developed an impressive database that provides useful profiles of their SME customers.
The database is now taking shape and has over 32,000 records on file. Of these, over 5000 are identified as exporters and so far 539 have answered SITPRO's key question concerning barriers to export trade: - 'What specific problems have you experienced that have prevented or hindered your export trade?'. Many of the records have been verified by an outside telephone contact agency and more are being added every day.
In the next few weeks SITPRO will analyse the results and produce a report suggesting actions to address perceived export barriers. The report is likely to be ready by June 2004.
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 50, April/May 2004
